In addition to the numerous extracurricular activities, classes and searching for colleges and scholarships, something that may be brought up throughout your high school and eventual college careers are internships. At first glance, you may dismiss internships as boring or entry-level “busy work”, but internships can be valuable in terms of developing and improving soft skills, providing financial incentive if available as well as exposing you to real-world applications of your interests or college major.

A useful source for obtaining internships information is the Emma Bowen Foundation. Named after Emma L. Bowen, a community activist who dedicated herself to obtain equally opportunities for youth of color, this institution has provided over 1,000 students of color with media-based internships even since its establishment in 1989. Emma Bowen has multi-year paid internship opportunities for both high school and college students.

The three areas of focus for Emma Bowen internships are, The Business of Media, The Content of Media and The Innovation of Media. The schematic below shows some of the possible career paths in each track. Remember that this diagram shows some common jobs and does not completely encompass all of the diverse careers that fit underneath the media industry “umbrella”.

To qualify, students should be of African-American, Asian-American, Latino or Native descent and a graduating high school senior or college student. A GPA of at least 3.0 is required and interest in pursuing a career in the media industry and attending a four-year accredited college or university is recommended. Also, U.S citizenship or permanent residency in addition to fluency in speaking and writing English are also necessary. If you do not meet these guidelines, Emma Bowen is still open to adding students to their mailing list and providing access to webinars and training for the media industry. To apply for an internship, the Emma Bowen Foundation has the following application requirements:

To find further information about the application process, visit http://www.emmabowenfoundation.com/application_info

The application process is extremely important to how attractive you will be as a candidate for an interview and must be taken seriously. Here as some critical guidelines for a smooth and successful application process:

  • Read and follow the directions for the application form thoroughly and be sure to consult the institution’s FAQ page or contact them directly in case if questions come up.

 

  • Meet deadlines! Submitting an application a week early is better that submitting a day late or the day before. Institutions may have hundreds or thousands of applicants and attempting to mail an application overnight is risky due to the possibility of it being lost or being placed lower on the pecking order of applications.

 

  • Ensure that your resume is concise, error-free, updated and includes your volunteering, previous employment, extracurricular activities, skills, awards/accomplishments and academic experience. If an institution is asking for a resume, they are expecting something unique, clear and professional that gives them a glimpse of the type of individual you are. Resumes should never be lists but should be captivating reflection on what make you stand apart from others.

 

  • Make sure to always follow the prompt of the essay and strive for the highest quality paper. If there is a word count limit for the paper, respect that limit but don’t shoot for the minimum amount of words. An essay should reflect your own thinking and shouldn’t be generic and must never be plagiarized.

 

  • When asking for letters of recommendation, ask weeks ahead of time. Nothing is worse than asking someone to write a letter of recommendation the night before your application must submitted. Recommended sources for letter of recommendation include mentors, trusted teachers, youth group leaders or your boss. A respectful way to ask is either in person or writing an email that addresses them professionally. Also, saying thank you and or getting a small gift of appreciation goes a long way.

 

  • Proofread all of you documents before submitting them and have a trusted adult double-check them for you.

If you are selected as a possible candidate for an internship, you will be contacted by Emma Bowen for an initial interview with their staff members. Finalists will be invited to an interview with their corporate partners who are responsible for making final selections for interns. Interviews can often be stressful but by following these steps, your interview experience will be nothing short of amazing:

  • If you are assigned a phone interview, make sure that you have access to a pen, pad of paper for notes, water and a quiet room with zero background noise and distraction. It is advised to use a landline to avoid choppy connectivity that may be experience with a cellphone. Make sure that your phone is on speaker and that you take time to listen and answer questions clearly. Remember that the interview reflects your character even though the interviewer cannot see you. If you mishear something, be sure to ask the interviewer to repeat themselves in a polite manner. Use your manners and thank the interviewer once the interview is over and do not abruptly hang up.

 

  • For a face to face interview, dress professionally and have a good first impression may it be a handshake, a simple “hello”, “thank you” and “good afternoon” as well as a smile.

 

  • Practice makes perfect! It is a fatal mistake to enter an interview unprepared and attempt to wing it. Practice speaking in front of a mirror, setting up a mock interview with siblings, friends or adults and drafting possible questions that may come up. Online resources such as Havard Business Review, Forbes and The Balance can give you access to common interview questions and tips.

 

  • Don’t fret if you mess up during your interview, what matters is that you tried your best!

Chosen interns will begin their shifts in May or June. Pay rates and hours are determined by the partner company that hires you as their intern and are not governed by Emma Bowen. In order to have a successful and profitable internship, here are some good tips to keep in mind:

  • Dress professionally and appropriately for your internship. The company wants to be represented well and how you appear can drastically impact someone impression of you.
  • Arrive to your internship on time! Being 10 minutes early allows you to have enough time to offer extra services and shows dedication to your internship. Running late can reflect badly on your character.
  • Always be respectful to those in higher authority and be willing to listen and be flexible. Companies do not want individuals who are disrespectful, profane or are unwilling to follow directions or change. It is a privilege to have this opportunity that many don’t have and a bad attitude shows a lack of gratitude.
  • Never use a cellphone or other distraction during an internship. Remember that this is a job and you can be terminated just for checking a quick text on your phone or gaming.
  • Always ask your supervisor or other adults involved in your internship for help whenever you feel confused or concerned about doing something. It better to be safe than sorry. If you are nervous about addressing an adult, remember to be courteous and calm.
  • Be sure to maintain your grades throughout your time of employment. Work never comes before school and a company will definitely take notice if you are failing classes. If you struggle to maintain your academic life, you may want to reconsider your commitment to an internship.

Additional resources that can enhance your preparation for a successful internship in addition to obtaining need-based scholarships and mentorship include the FAQ page, Programs & Events, Job Board and Fellows.